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Ironman Jacksonville joins two Florida cities in grueling debut race
TL;DR
Jacksonville will host its inaugural Ironman race on May 16, 2026, joining two other Florida cities. The event is expected to attract thousands of athletes and spectators.
Key points
- Jacksonville is hosting its first Ironman race.
- The race is set for May 16, 2026.
- Ironman is a premier triathlon series with events in over 50 countries.
Jacksonville is hosting its first-ever Ironman race Saturday, May 16, joining two other Florida cities with races slated for 2026, and bringing thousands of athletes and spectators to the Sunshine State.
The first Ironman Triathlon single-day endurance event, created by Judy and John Collins, was held in Hawaii in 1978, where 15 competitors took up the arduous test.
Now, Ironman and its half-distance companion race, the Ironman 70.3, are the world’s premier triathlon series spanning across over 50 countries, regions and territories across the world, according to Ironman.
Here's what to know about the races in Florida.
What's an Ironman?
An Ironman is a long-distance triathlon organized by the World Triathlon Corporation that includes a 2.4-mile swim, a 112-mile bike ride, and a 26.2-mile marathon run completed consecutively in a single day.
Widely regarded as one of the toughest endurance events in the world, athletes have up to 17 hours to finish all three segments of the race.
Where is the Ironman in Florida?
An athlete runs towards the final 26.2-mile running stage of the Visit Panama City Beach IRONMAN Florida triathlon Nov. 1, 2025. (Tyler Orsburn/News Herald)
There are three Ironman Florida races slated for 2026, according to the official race locator:
-
Full-Distance Races (140.6 miles)
- IRONMAN Jacksonville: Making its debut on Saturday, May 16, 2026.
- IRONMAN Florida (Panama City Beach): Saturday, Nov. 7, 2026.
-
Half-Distance Races (70.3 miles)
- IRONMAN 70.3 Florida (Haines City): Sunday, Dec. 13, 2026.
Ironman full distance vs. 70.3
A full Ironman is a total of 140.6 miles — athletes swim 2.4 miles, bike for 112, and then run for 26.2 miles.
In a half distance Ironman, also known as an Ironman 70.3, athletes swim for 1.2 miles, bike for 56, and run 13.1 miles.
How long does Ironman, Ironman 70.3 take?
Triathletes have up to 17 hours to complete an Ironman triathlon.
For the Ironman 70.3, competitors have up to 8 hours and 30 mins.
See Ironman Jacksonville course map
Ironman Jacksonville will bring a full-on athlete takeover to the North Florida city, with competitors racing across the city for up to 17 hours.
The course begins with a 2.4-mile swim in the St. Johns River at 7:30 a.m. from Metropolitan Park, followed by a 112-mile bike ride and a 26.2-mile run through downtown Jacksonville and Riverside.
Swim Course Ironman2026
Running Course Ironman2026
Bike Route Ironman2026
Ironman near me: How to find nearest race
To find the nearest Ironman race near you, visit ironman.com/races and search your city or use the map locator.
This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: Ironman Florida 2026 races in Panama City, Jacksonville draw athletes
Q&A
When is the first Ironman race in Jacksonville?
The first Ironman race in Jacksonville is scheduled for May 16, 2026.
Which other Florida cities are hosting Ironman races in 2026?
The article mentions that two other Florida cities will also host Ironman races in 2026, although their names are not specified.
What is an Ironman triathlon?
An Ironman triathlon is a single-day endurance event that includes swimming, cycling, and running, and is part of a series that spans over 50 countries.